Praxis Science Outreach Society Program Changes

It is with great pride that Praxis Science Outreach Society has served the communities of southeastern Alberta for over 30 years. We could not have achieved this milestone without the support of our community partners, STEM volunteers and donors. As we all know, times are changing and as a result of this and due to loss of ongoing secure government funding the volunteer Praxis Board of Directors has to make some difficult decisions. It is with regret that we have to inform you that some of the Praxis programs that educators have become familiar with will cease to be offered (until further notice):

• Hands on LEARNING RESOURCE KITS
• Field trip assistance/organization
• Field trip assistance/organization
• Science workshops
• Operation THOTH
• Individual requests for mentoring with STEM professionals
• Materials support and requests
• Regular office hours

We will continue to work diligently to find secure and stable funding so that full programming can once again be restored. Any information on funding sources and supporting community partners as we move forward is greatly appreciated.

Praxis Science Outreach Society is southeastern Alberta’s vital link to the scientific and educational community. We sincerely regret not being able to offer these programs at this time and completely understand how it will affect educators, but more importantly students in southeastern Alberta.

Praxis still continues to do science outreach in southeastern Alberta. These include:

• School Science Fairs (Science Fair 101)
• The Southeast Alberta Kiwanis Regional Science Fair. See https://praxisscienceconnection.wordpress.com/2023/02/07/2023-southeast-alberta-kiwanis-regional-science-fair/ for the upcoming 2023 event
• Operation Minerva for grade 9 girls. See https://praxisscienceconnection.wordpress.com/2023/02/03/operation-minerva-southeastern-alberta-2023-conference/ for details regarding the most recent conference (February 1, 2023)
• The Praxis Family Science Olympics in cooperation with the Medicine Hat College. See https://praxisscienceconnection.wordpress.com/2022/11/01/the-30th-praxis-science-outreach-family-science-olympics-was-a-success/ for details regarding our 30th annual event was held on October 29, 2022.
• The weekly Praxis ‘Science Smart’ column in the Medicine Hat News: https://praxissciencesmarts.wordpress.com/blog/
• Other events when we achieve the necessary funding

Patty Rooks, our Senior Scientific Consultant, was interviewed by CHAT News regarding our program changes. See https://chatnewstoday.ca/2023/02/08/praxis-cutting-science-programs-citing-lack-of-funds/ for the interview and details.

Patty was also interviewed by the Medicine Hat News. The article appeared in the paper on February 11. See https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2023/02/11/lack-of-funds-forces-praxis-to-cut-science-programs-back/ for the interview and details.

We hope to continue to do “Science Outreach” in SE Alberta!

The Praxis Science Outreach Society Board of Directors

For further information, please contact:
Patty Rooks – Senior Scientific Consultant
Praxis Science Outreach Society
Telephone: 403.527.5365
Cell: 403.528.0182
Email: patty.rooks@praxismh.ca
Webpage: http://www.praxismedhat.com